Operation Tiger Hound was a covert USAF and Navy TF-77 aerial interdiction campaign conducted in Southeastern Laos from December 5, 1965 through November 11, 1968. The geographic boundary of the operation was carved from the area of Laos already under bombardment under Operation Steel Tiger. This was done at the behest of General William C. Westmoreland, who saw the area of Laos that bordered the five northernmost provinces of South Vietnam as an extension of his area of operations. Unlike Operation Barrel Roll and Steel Tiger the bombing in the new area would be conducted by aircraft of the VNAF and by USAF units based in South Vietnam (aircraft participating in Barrel Roll and Steel Tiger were generally based in Thailand).

In the latter part of 1965, the 20th TASS was assigned the out-of-country mission, which entailed flying interdiction missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos. Its area of operations (AO) was designated TIGERHOUND. To meet its mission requirements it was necessary to establish a number of forward operating bases (FOB) to support the operation. Initially, FOBs were established at Khe Sanh, Kham Duc, and Kontum. Eventually, the sites were expanded to include Danang, Dong Ha, Dak To, and Pleiku

In mid-July 1966, the 20th TASS was assigned another mission and AO. The new mission was designed TALLY HO. The AO was part of the STEEL TIGER area located in North Vietnam from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to about 30 miles north of the DMZ. The TALLY HO missions were flown from Dong Ha. During this period, it was decided that all out-of-country tactical call signs would carry the name of COVEY.

The 0-1, whether by design or accident proved to be an outstanding FAC aircraft. It provided exceptional visibility, was not complicated, and was surprisingly easy to fly. However, as the weapons of the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese regulars became more sophisticated, the 0-1s vulnerability was accentuated. This vulnerability was countered by a new FAC aircraft.

The new FAC aircraft was the Cessna 0-2A, which was a modified Cessna 337. It was an inline dual engine aircraft with one propeller pushing and the other pulling. From late 1966 until late 1968, approximately 350 0-2s were contracted for by the Air Force. The first 0-2s, to arrive in country were assigned to the 20th TASS. They were then assigned to Dong Ha and Khe Sanh to provide a more substantial FAC aircraft to deal with the improvements in the enemys weaponry. By reading some of the narratives submitted by 0-2 pilots, the reader will become acutely aware of the 0-2s capabilities and limitations.

The 0-2 was an interim aircraft, but it filled a void while the 0V-10 was being developed. The 0V-10 was a more sophisticated and durable FAC vehicle: it had greater ordinance carrying capability, more loiter time, a bit more power, and a greater array of conventional navigation aids and in-flight instrumentation. The 20th TASS received its first 0V-10s in July 1969. The arrival of the 0V-10s to complement the O-2As resulted in the transfer of the 0-1s to other units.

By October 1969, the 20th TASS, while supporting five US Army and six South Vietnam force locations, as well as the out-of-country operations, was operating from Danang and eleven FOBs. As the US Army began to gradually reduce its presence in 1972 and 1973, the 20th TASS began withdrawing from its FOBs.

In response to the North Vietnamese spring offensive of 1972, the 20 TASS reestablished some of its former FOBs. It is notable to mention that in June 1972, the 20th TASS had tripled its pre-invasion sorties. Further, Covey FACs from Danang using 0V-10s were a vital and integral part of base defense operations during that year.

In January 1973, the 20th TASS ceased operations at its last FOB, and flew its final missions in Vietnam. The 0-2s were turned over to the Vietnamese Air Force, and the 0V-10s were assigned to other USAF units in Southeast Asia.

On January 25, 1973, the 20th TASS moved, without personnel or equipment, to George AFB, California.

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Task Force "Tiger Hound" DI & "JAKE" FAC Business Card

both items came from the same Pilot

scanned at 300dpi

Jake FAC Business Card, probably made in Thailand, UnUsed.....inquire

( Callsign "JAKE" was assigned for use on October 1, 1966 )

Task Force Tiger Hound Beercan DI, Vietnam made, Used....inquire

TF Tiger Hound/Tally Ho partial History

Task Force Tiger Hound/Tally Ho reported to 7th AF but was attached to the 20th TASS at Danang

TF moved to other airfields in Vietnam/Thailand but used Danang as their home field.

One job assigned to this TF was interdicting Supply Routes into I Corps.

20th TASS organized 8 May 1965 at Da Nang AB, Republic of Vietnam. It received its first O-lF aircraft in late May and began operations in Aug 1965. Provided visual reconnaissance and airborne forward air control for tactical offensive operations, and also gave theater indoctrination flight checkouts in assigned aircraft for newly assigned aircrews in Southeast Asia. As the squadron expanded its operations, it established several detachments at forward locations throughout South Vietnam. In Jan 1969, received first OV-10A, and in July transferred its last 0-1. By Oct 1969, the 20th operated from Da Nang and eleven forward locations, supporting five U.S. Army and six South Vietnamese Army forces locations.

The U.S. Armed Forces gradually withdrew from South Vietnam in 1970-1972, and the 20th discontinued its forward operating locations in 1971 and early 1972.

Then, after the North Vietnamese invaded the south in Apr 1972, the 20th again set up forward operating locations. In Jun 1972, it flew three times the missions it had in mar, prior to the invasion. In addition to FAC, liaison, observation, and reconnaissance missions, the 20th, in response to enemy rocket attacks on Da Nang AB during 1972, provided base defense with the OV-10A aircraft equipped with small bombs, 2.75 inch rockets, and 7.62 mm guns. In Jan 1973, the squadron discontinued its last forward operating location, flew its last mission, turned its 0-2As over to the Vietnamese Air Force and its OV-lOAs to other USAF squadrons in Southeast Asia.

On 15 Jan 1973 the squadron moved, without personnel or equipment, to George AFB, Calif, where it remained unmanned until it inactivated on 1 Apr 1973 .

On 1 Oct 1973 the 20thTASS activated at Wiesbaden AB, West Germany, to provide forward tactical air control for U.S. Army, Europe, and Seventh Army operations. The squadron had only three 0-2A aircraft available until Jul 1974, when it began flying OV-10A aircraft. Engaged in close air support training during USAFE, NATO, and U.S. Army exercises, its pilots served as both ground and airborne forward air controllers

( above verabage has not been perused for details )

21st Tactical Air Support Squadron

21st TASS, hand-embroidered in Vietnam, UnUsed......inquire

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21st Tactical Air Support Squadron Beercan DI

"SLOW - SILENT - DEADLY"

Callsign "CAGEY"

left picfile shot by a camera - right scanned at 300dpi

tough DI to put in a picfile

Large 1 11/16" 21st TASS Beercan, Vietnam made, Used......inquire

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21st TASS

I believe this design rcognizes the Enlisted "Radio Operator, Maintainer, and Driver" (ROMAD)(?)

Close Air Support (CAS) has it's roots in WWI and was greatly expanded in WWII.

Korea brought further development and Vietnam experience made it a necessity for Ground Troops.

Vietnam brought forth the term ROMAD ( enlisted Radio Operator, Maintainer, and Driver) as it was determined

that Pilot's sent to Ground Units for CAS operations were not fully-functional without Radios that worked

or without dedicated vehicles to transport their equipment. Enter the ROMAD who was a Jack-of-all-trades!

Later the Enlisted Terminal Attack Controller (ETAC) Career Field was developed. An ETAC is a highly trained ROMAD who

can order a Close Air Strike(thus eliminating the need for a Pilot Officer).

ETACs are assigned to Tactical Air Control Parties (TACPs) in all types of manuever units: Airborne, Air Assault, Armor, Mechanized, Ranger, and Special Operations.

Information sent to me from an Active Duty USAF Sergeant

"Heraldry of the TACP Flash and Crest

U.S. Air Force ordinary holds the position of honor. It is supported by the erect wings, which symbolize the combat-ready Air Force, and the Theater Air Control System (TACS). At the bottom of the wings rest the TACP ordinary, representing the most forward element of the TACS. The sword symbolizes the strength and firepower controlled by the TACP, while the lightning bolt represents a modern day standard for communications, the backbone of the TACP. The 8-point omni-directional star symbolizes the worldwide mobility commitment of the TACP as well as its ability to navigate over all terrain via any means. The scarlet border of the cloth flash symbolizes the immense firepower that can be brought to bear when Air Force and Army assets are combined. The dovetail red divider symbolizes the strong, interlocking relationship between the Army (the field of green) and the Air Force (the field of blue) created by the liaison functions of the TACP."

Combat Control Teams (CCT) were merged into Aerial Port Squadrons In March of 1953

Re-Assigned to Director of Operations in 1977

Re-Assigned to: Squadrons or Detachments July 1984 reporting to Air Forces

Re-Assigned to Wings in 1991

( also on UI Page #97, in CT & SUP Box )

Combat Control Team

Flash/Qualification Badge

pre-1984 Flash, worn on the Red Beret, by N.S. Meyers, INC., of New York City, Unused.....inquire

partial History from a Veteran of the Pope Team, crica 1982-86

".........worn on the red beret............pre-1984 before the teams were placed under squadrons. After(wards) they switched to a smaller and darker version of the same flash that many of us didn't care much for, but were made to change to. When the USAF switched their dress uniforms to polished hardware, the CCT flash followed suit, where it is today. Before the flash was authorized, CCTs wore jump wings on their berets that coincided with their jump rating of basic, senior or jumpmaster.